Going to Austria- any photo restrictions?

J

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I'll be going to Vienna, Austria on business soon, and was wondering if there were any laws or restrictions on photography I should be aware of. I did a Google search and got mostly very dense info on data privacy laws and the like. I'm not sure how much time I'll have for photography, but would like to be prepared.

Thanks
 
I read blogs from a few guys who live in Vienna. They make great photos pretty much everywhere in the city but I am certain that you are at least legally allowed to photos in public.
 
Do they have a consulate in Baltimore? Check with them. If not, call the embassy in D.C.

I wouldn't ask a general question like "Are there restrictions on photography in Austria?" Instead, say something specific, such as, " I've heard some countries prohibit photography of military installations, government buildings, things like bridges, etc. Will I see any of that in Austria?"

My guess: No. Anyplace that bans photography will have a sign that says so.
 
I visited Vienna in 2002 and found that I was not allowed to take photos of the American Embassy. When I was poised to take a photo A guard immediately came out and told me not to take photos.
Given the security issues related to US embassies abroad I can understand this behavior. However, when I lived in Canberra, Australia for a few months in 2003, there was no problem taking photos of the US Embassy there.
Eric
 
Eric T said:
I visited Vienna in 2002 and found that I was not allowed to take photos of the American Embassy. When I was poised to take a photo A guard immediately came out and told me not to take photos.
Given the security issues related to US embassies abroad I can understand this behavior. However, when I lived in Canberra, Australia for a few months in 2003, there was no problem taking photos of the US Embassy there.
Eric
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It would be interesting to know whether that was Austrian law, American law (inapplicable) or freelance invention on the guard's part. My suspicion is that it was the last.

I've taken quite a lot of pics in Austria and ever seen any hint of restrictions or been told not to.

Cheers,

R.
 
American embassies typically enforce no-photo policies at any post with security concerns. So do other countries. Technically, their authority may not extend to someone standing off embassy grounds, say across the street with a telephoto, or in a car parked 200 yards away, but, if spotted, the guards will chase them away. Local authorities are unlikely to object and likely have given their tacit approval.
 
They don't allow photography inside the Ahnold Schwarzenneger Academy of English as a Second Language. It's Top Secret, apparently.
 
take your camera and make pictures;
public room is no problem, I also never had problems in churches, museums, hotels or restaurants
 
Hi no restrictions so far. Enjoy your stay! The thing with the American embassy is a bit of an embarassment as they extended the security Zone on their own so that the whole street where the embassy is in is "annexed" (prabably with theTacit approval from the Austrian government).
Well crawdiddy even for Austrians Ahhnold (that I must admit is widespread in Austria so it's "Ahht" instead of "Art") Schwarzenegger sounds funny thanks to his heavy Styrian accent.
 
wgerrard said:
American embassies typically enforce no-photo policies at any post with security concerns. So do other countries. Technically, their authority may not extend to someone standing off embassy grounds, say across the street with a telephoto, or in a car parked 200 yards away, but, if spotted, the guards will chase them away. Local authorities are unlikely to object and likely have given their tacit approval.
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Dear Bill,

'Try to chase them away' might be more accurate.

What can they do, after all, if you stand your ground? Or better still, wind them up by saying, "Tough. This is a free country."

Could be interesting for those who believe in the founding principles of the United States.

Cheers,

R.
 
Hi! I live in vienna and I assure you that you can shoot everything here safely :)) even cops if you smile friendly...the "worldwide" pictureparanoia thankgod hasn´t swapped over yet ;-)

enjoy your stay and take many pictures!! everywhere ;-)
 
Roger Hicks said:
Dear Bill,

'Try to chase them away' might be more accurate.
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Well, sure, but a Marine with a weapon would likely convince me to move on.

Seriously, though, what I'd expect would happen is that the bags of people entering embassy property would be checked for cameras, as much because they can be used to hide explosives as anything else. Someone spotted shooting photos of the embassy with a long telephoto, say, from a car down the street, would stand a chance of being photographed himself and having his plate number recorded and checked. A guard might approach him and request that he stop taking photos, but, as you imply, without local sanction, the guard can't force anyone off embassy grounds to stop taking pictures. They can, though, ask the local police to intervene.

It isn't entirely a terrorism concern. The security and privacy of personnel entering and leaving is also a concern.

Off to the side a bit, I grew up a mile or two away from a nuclear research and engineering facility built during WWII and which still functioned until a few years ago. Built into a large hill, it was easily photographed from the neighboring hill. Signs along the site's perimeter fence banned photography. If you were seen snapping pictures on the adjacent hill, you'd be approached. The people doing the approaching had the legal authority to confiscate your film.
 
wgerrard said:
Well, sure, but a Marine with a weapon would likely convince me to move on.
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Dear Bill,

Point taken about the nuclear research facility, but that was, as you say, legal. In the UK the usual sign begins something like, "This is a Prohibited Place within the meaning of the Official Secrets Act..."

First, the Marine would need permission from the government of Austria to wander off base with a gun, and second, he'd need to be crazy enough to use it.

Now, the last time a Marine guard pulled a gun on me was during the Vietnam war. As he was stopping me to ask why I hadn't stopped for him to salute, and as most Marines there (in Bermuda) were on rotation from Vietnam, I reckoned he was crazy enough to use it.

Also, technically, I think he may have been correct in stopping me (it was disputable), so I never raised it with his commanding officer (who was my source for saying it was disputable). But most Marines are very well trained and disciplined and not given to Wild West tactics on the streets of countries not occupied by the US.

I would therefore think it extremely likely that he would reply civilly and correctly to a question along the lines of, "Why not?" and in due course "What authority have you for stopping me?" Indeed, having known a fair number of Marines in the past, I'd be astonished if he did otherwise.

If he were civil, I don't think I'd press it. If he weren't, I'd want to see his commanding officer.

Cheers,

R.
 
Roger Hicks said:
In the UK the usual sign begins something like, "This is a Prohibited Place within the meaning of the Official Secrets Act..."
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Equivalent signs in the U.S. usually include a specific prohibition of photography.

Marines guard almost every U.S. embassy and it is not especially popular duty. Safer than being in combat, obviously, but in many instances they live and work on embassy grounds. There is no base as such.

What the Marines -- or equivalents at other embassies -- do and do not do off embassy grounds depends, of course, on arrangements with the host country. From personal observation, I can attest that, in certain countries, Marine guards will leave the embassy to approach what is considered suspicious activity. Presumably, the ambassador has reached an agreement with the locals that permits this.

I'd think that if someone in London or D.C. took a Canon 5D and a tripod and set up shop for a few hours across the street from the Russian or French or Israeli or German, etc., embassies, someone would eventually show up. A tourist walking by and grabbing a shot? No. Grabbing shots of embassy personnel coming and going? Probably, if the guard sees it.

Personally, I question the effectiveness of prohibitions on photographing facilities. They are clearly visible, and anyone with bad intent and a good memory could cause equivalent mischief. On the other hand, I can see clear security concerns if people are being photographed.
 
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No worries. Just like Thafred I've been living in Vienna, shooting there for many years and I never had any problems. Some people may appear grumpy but thats just the way they are, don't worry about it. Now that I've moved to London I don't always feel comfortable taking pictures, its strange.
 
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